NEW FOR 2026
TRAIL RUN
The Sea Otter Classic is known worldwide as THE premier cycling festival, a place where riding connections are celebrated each spring, but that doesn’t mean we can’t branch out a little!New for this year, we’re adding a first-ever trail run at the Sea Otter Classic with two distance options: 17K or 5k!
Explore scenic Fort Ord in a whole new way with two distances to choose from: a 17K (10.6mi) lap with 1600’ of elevation gain, or a family friendly 5K (2.8mi) loop. Each route will see runners explore the trails of Laguna Seca before a triumphant finish on the iconic raceway track.
Strollers are welcome on the 5K course and everyone comes home with a finisher’s medal! It’ll be the perfect way for runners and riders alike to start their Saturday!
ENDURO – NEW STAGES!
We’re adding some spice to the 2026 version of one our most popular events…the Enduro. The vibe at this perennially popular event is so infectious that we had to spread it out to TWO days this year. Now spanning Thursday and Friday, Stages 1 & 2 will take place at Laguna Seca (on the SOC Downhill and Dual Slalom courses), while Stages 3 & 4 will get a brand new venue, Toro Park. Located just five miles from Laguna Seca, Toro Park will offer riders steep descents, flowing trails, techy sections, and just enough loose dirt to keep things, shall we say…interesting.
And if that weren’t enough, there’ll be some electricity in the air this year as we add e-bike categories to the Enduro. Available for Men and Women in the Open and Sport category, the e-bike categories promise to be some of the most energized events of the weekend!
CRITERIUM
Your typical parking lot criterium is a flat, four corner affair. Not so with the Sea Otter Criterium which makes its vaunted return to Laguna Seca this spring.
Utilizing a 1.2mi loop and featuring the corners of the world-famous Laguna Seca Raceway (including the fearsome Andretti Hairpin), the Sea Otter Criterium will feature a fair bit of twists, turns, and climbing to test the traditional criterium riders’ skillset. Results will be time-based and # of laps completed.
eMTB Race presented by Aventon
Built to challenge the capabilities of modern eBikes and their riders, the Sea Otter eMTB Race is back for 2026 and features steep climbs and technical descents that make the course as difficult as “analog” bike racing, just slightly different.
A fan favorite to catch the multiple loops, racers will complete four laps within the Laguna Seca venue with all race categories finishing on the same lap as the overall race leader.